Some excerpts:
Officials overseeing the application process for the school told us that the BDCS is not planning on using public school facilities at Shell Bank J.H.S. or any other in any district. In the application details and executive summary we received in a pdf file from the NYC Department of Education Chancellor's office, the BDCS stated, "The founding group anticipates leasing renovated space for the school through NHA in CSD 21, and do not intend to seek space through the New York City Department of Education."
We were told that applications could take two to three years to write up and even more time to be approved, so it is difficult for a school to establish an address or physical facility before the application is submitted for approval. We were reminded that all charter schools are public schools that do not charge any tuition, and as such these schools, once approved, do have a right to use public school facilities -- so long as there is a justified need and permission is granted by the community's school district.
We found that although the school has listed as their educational service provider the National Heritage Academies -- a Grand Rapids, Michigan,-based group that advocates teaching Creationism as scientific theory -- a representative we spoke with on the phone at the NHA was not aware of this relationship with the BDCS. Still, the BDCS's Board of Directors has officially stated that, if approved, the school will be under the NHA's administration. The school's application summary also states this.
Hmmm. Does anyone smell a creationism rat? Or other duplicity? Charters routinely declare they will be seeking space, only to come back after getting approval saying they had no luck (see one Hebrew Language Academy). and one minute it's District 22 (where Shell bank is located) and the next they are looking in Dist. 21. Wherever the path of least resistance, I guess.
There will still be a public hearing at Shellbank MS on July 16
Charter Applicant Hearing
I.S. 14 – Shellbank MS 2424 Batchelder St.
Brooklyn, New York 11235
(Between Avenue Y & X)
The original article at SBB are here and at E.Notes here.
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